Coconut trees have been uprooted at various places and houses damaged in eastern Kalpeni and Minicoy, sources said, adding the extent of the damage was being assessed.

The Kerala state emergency department said almost 3,200 people were in relief camps. Besides, 138 fishermen have been rescued from the Lakshadweep islands, he said.

According to a joint bulletin issued by IMD and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) released yesterday, the severe cyclonic storm, centered over Lakshadweep, is likely to further intensify in the next 12 hours. "Irrespective of that the Navy and Air Force are searching for the fishermen 24 x 7". The ship had earlier found another body, a defence spokesperson said.

"The chief minister requested (Singh) that the Coast Guard and Navy should continue assisting the state government in swiftly rescuing the fishermen who have not returned so far, and that helicopters of Coast Guard and Navy should be deployed for this goal", the release said.

The state chief minister met some injured fishermen, who were rescued from the choppy waters, at the medical college hospital in Thiruvanathapuram and enquired about their well- being.